Patent EA-000418-B1 (EA)
Title: Locking mechanism for a spring-actuated device
Inventor: EICHER JOACHIM
IPC: A61M15/00
Filed: 1996-12-05
Abstract: 1. A spring-loaded drive mechanism in which an output member is mounted for linear movement against the bias of a spring between a released position and a locked position and in which there is a locking member which can be moved transversely to the direction of movement of the output member into and out of the path of an abutment means associated with the output member, wherein the locking member is substantially in the form of an open or closed spring ring such that the abutment means can pass through it under the action of the spring when the mechanism is released and wherein the substantially spring ring-like locking member may optionally be in two or more sections. 2. A mechanism according to Claim 1 wherein the locking member forms an optionally interrupted substantially closed ring. 3. A mechanism according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the locking member engages the abutment means at least at two positions, which are substantially diametrically opposite each other. 4 A mechanism according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the spring is a helical compression spring. 5. A mechanism according to any preceding Claim, wherein the locking member snaps into alignment with the abutment means when the output member reaches the locked position. 6. A mechanism according to Claim 5 wherein the snap action is provided by cams associated with means for moving the output member from the released position to the locked position. 7. A mechanism according to Claim 5 wherein the snap action is provided by one or more springs. 8. A mechanism according to Claim 5, wherein the locking member is resiliently defonnable so as to provide the snap action. 9. A mechanism according to any preceding Claim wherein the locking member is arranged to be manually moved out of the path of the abutment means by pressure on an actuating means. 10. A mechanism according to any preceding Claim comprising a force step-up transmission for moving -the output means against the bias of the spring. 11. A mechanism according to Claim 10 wherein the transmission comprises a rotatable part with a sawtooth thrust cam. 12. A mechanism according to any preceding Claim wherein the output member is arranged to move a piston in a cylinder to compress fluid therein. 13. A device for spraying fluid comprising a mechanism according to Claim 12. 14. A device according to Claim 13, which is a metered dose inhaler. 15. A locking stressing mechanism for a spring-actuated output drive device comprising a spring which acts on an output drive member which acts as a quick-motion member, a drive for stressing the spring, a locking member, an upper and a lower abutment for the output drive member, and a means for releasing the locking member, characterized by a force step-up transmission means between the drive for stressing the spring and the spring, and an annularly arranged locking member with engaging locking surfaces. 16. A locking stressing mechanism according to Claim 15 comprising a coil spring or a plate spring which acts as a tension spring or as a compression spring and is preferably cylindrical. 17. A locking stressing mechanism according to Claims 15 or 16 comprising a screw thrust transmission means as the force step-up transmission means between the drive for stressing the spring and the spring. 18. A locking stressing mechanism according to any one of Claims 15 to 17 comprising an open or closed ring as the locking member which is arranged displaceably in a plane perpendicularly to the axis of the cylindrical locking stressing mechanism. 19. A locking stressing mechanism according to any one of Claims 15 to 18 comprising a locking member in the form of a radially elastically deformable ring or the form of a rigid ring with leaf springs formed thereon or in the form of a rigid ring with cam projection or in the form of a rigid ring and a metal spring. 20. A locking stressing mechanism according to any one of Claims 15 to 19 comprising a locking member of plastics or metal. 21. A locking stressing mechanism according to any one of Claims 15 to 20 comprising a release button connected or coupled to the locking member.